Pipe, valve and/or tee coupler

Abstract

A pipe coupler for interconnecting pipes and components together, for transferring bulk and fluid materials, and useful for connecting sections of pipe-end-to-end. The coupler connects grooved pipe to ground pipe, smooth pipe to grooved pipe or smooth pipe to smooth pipe. Also tees, valves, and pipe sections can be secured together. The coupler has an adjustable bail that can be adjusted to assure a tight seal despite any wear. The coupler also eliminates any gaps that may trap material and lead to cross-contamination of subsequent loads.

I claim: 
     
       1. A coupler for connecting two sections of pipe, end-to-end, comprising: a first and second semi-circular clamping arm, each said clamping arm having a first end portion and a second end portion;   each said first end portion connected together to allow for pivotal movement of said arms;   a mounting means on the second end portion of said first arm;   a bail lever attached to said mounting means, said bail lever having sides, and a pivotal spacer means extending from each side of the bail lever and being mounted to said bail lever;   a bail assembly attached to said extending pivotal spacer means, said bail assembly having a generally U-shaped configuration, and capable of pivoting generally in alignment with a plane formed between the ends of the two contiguous pipe sections when coupled;   said bail assembly being adjustable in its attachment to the spacer means;   a boss on the second end of said second arm for accepting said bail assembly;   each said first and said second arms having a generally U-shaped cross section with a first side wall and a second side wall defining a groove for seating of a gasket;   said first and second side walls of each said arm having a raised rib formed thereon, each said rib disposed to seat in an annular groove formed approximate an end of a section of pipe.   
     
     
       2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said bail assembly is adjustable in its connection with the spacer means to accommodate changes in tolerances due to wear of said coupler. 
     
     
       3. The coupler of claim 1 wherein said clamping arms and said lever are formed from an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
       4. The coupler of claim 1 wherein said bail assembly is made of stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. The coupler of claim 1 having a gasket seated in said groove, said gasket having a generally annular shape with an outer and an inner wall, said inner wall defining a bore, said outer wall being smooth so as to seat in said groove and said inner wall having a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
       6. A coupler for connecting two sections of pipe, end-to-end comprising: a first and second semi-circular clamping arm, each said clamping arm having a first end portion and a second end portion; each said first end portions connected together to allow for pivotal movement of said arms;   a cam means on the second end portion of said first arm;   a lever attached to said cam means, said lever having sides, and a pivotal spacer means extending from each side of the lever and being mounted thereto;   a bail assembly pivotally attached to said spacer means, said bail assembly having a generally U-shaped configuration;   said bail assembly capable of pivoting generally in alignment with a plane formed between the ends of the two contiguous pipe sections when coupled;   said bail assembly being adjustable in its attachment to the spacer means;   a boss on the second end of the second arm for accepting said bail assembly;   each said first and said second clamping arm having a generally U-shaped cross-section with a first side wall and a second side wall defining a groove for seating a gasket;   said first side wall of each arm having a smooth flange formed thereon for the seating of a smooth end of a section of pipe and said second side wall of each arm having a smooth flange formed thereon for the seating of a smooth end of a section of pipe.   
     
     
       7. A coupler for connecting two sections of pipe or a section of pipe to an adjustable hopper T, end-to-end comprising: a first and second semi-circular clamping arm, each said clamping arm having a first end portion and a second end portion;   each said first end portions connected together to allow for pivotal movement of said arms;   a cam means on the second end portion of said first arm, and a lever pivotally attached to said cam means;   said lever having sides, and a pivotal spacer means extending from each side of the lever and being mounted to the said lever;   a bail assembly attached to said extending pivotal spacer means, said bail assembly having a generally U-shaped bail, and capable of pivoting generally in alignment with a plane formed between the ends of the two sections of pipe or a section of pipe to a hopper T when coupled;   said bail assembly being adjustable in its attachment to the spacer means;   a boss on the second end of said second arm for accepting said bail;   each said first and said second clamping arm having a generally U-shaped cross-section with a first side wall and a second side wall defining a groove for seating a gasket;   said first side wall of each said arm having a raised rib formed thereon, each rib disposed to seat in an annular groove in an end of a section of pipe and said second side wall of each arm having a smooth flange formed thereon for the seating of a smooth end of a section of pipe.   
     
     
       8. The invention of claims 1, 6 or 7, wherein said bail assembly being generally U-shaped, formed having a pair of arms each terminating in a threaded portion, the threaded portion of each bail arm extending through said spacer means, and an adjustable fastener securing to each bail arm and capable of adjusting the U-shaped bail with respect to the lever to which it pivotally attaches for adjusting the tensioning on the bail when the coupler is fastened in place around the pipe ends.